[Gene Evolution] Robustness of protein networks
It is thought that gene duplication helps cells maintain genetic robustness, but this seems not to be the whole story. Diss et al. investigated the fate of protein-protein – [Read More] (Source: This Week in Science)
Source: This Week in Science - February 9, 2017 Category: Science Authors: Laura M. Zahn Tags: Gene Evolution Source Type: research
[Geophysics] Double trouble for the Deccan Traps
The continental flood basalts in India known as the Deccan Traps formed from a massive outpouring of lava around the time that dinosaurs went extinct. The event dramatically reshaped – [Read More] (Source: This Week in Science)
Source: This Week in Science - February 9, 2017 Category: Science Authors: Brent Grocholski Tags: Geophysics Source Type: research
[Evolution] What drives divergence?
Horse evolution has long been held as a classic example of adaptive radiation. It has
been thought that an increase in the height of cheek teeth opened up new grass
resources, – [Read More] (Source: This Week in Science)
Source: This Week in Science - February 9, 2017 Category: Science Authors: Sacha Vignieri Tags: Evolution Source Type: research
[Solar System Formation] Meteorite magnetism in the early solar system
The young solar system contained a disc of gas and dust within which planet formation occurred. The disc eventually dissipated after the Sun ignited and the planets formed, but exactly – [Read More] (Source: This Week in Science)
Source: This Week in Science - February 8, 2017 Category: Science Authors: Keith T. Smith Tags: Solar System Formation Source Type: research
[Cancer] Stem cells on a mission
Healthy neural stem cells can infiltrate and help treat brain tumors because they naturally migrate toward gliomas in response to tumor-derived chemotactic signals. Obtaining neural – [Read More] (Source: This Week in Science)
Source: This Week in Science - February 2, 2017 Category: Science Authors: Yevgeniya Nusinovich Tags: Cancer Source Type: research
[HIV] Engineering HIV immunity
For rapidly mutating viruses such as HIV, antibodies that can neutralize more than one strain may have real therapeutic potential. Williams et al. examined the origin of broadly – [Read More] (Source: This Week in Science)
Source: This Week in Science - February 2, 2017 Category: Science Authors: Angela Colmone Tags: HIV Source Type: research
[Forest Restoration] From lofty goals to on-the-ground success
Global initiatives call for the restoration of vast areas of deforested landscapes worldwide, particularly in the tropics. In a Perspective, Holl highlights the disconnect between these – [Read More] (Source: This Week in Science)
Source: This Week in Science - February 2, 2017 Category: Science Authors: Julia Fahrenkamp-Uppenbrink Tags: Forest Restoration Source Type: research
[DNA Repair] Activating DNA repair
DNA double-strand breaks must be repaired efficiently to avoid cell death or cancer. The break ends can either be directly ligated by nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) or more accurately – [Read More] (Source: This Week in Science)
Source: This Week in Science - February 2, 2017 Category: Science Authors: Valda Vinson Tags: DNA Repair Source Type: research
[Cell Biology] Peroxisome inheritance and differentiation
For normal tissue structure and function, cells exert strict control over growth versus differentiation. Poor wound healing and aging can result from too little proliferation. Conversely, – [Read More] (Source: This Week in Science)
Source: This Week in Science - February 2, 2017 Category: Science Authors: Beverly A. Purnell Tags: Cell Biology Source Type: research
[Physics] Getting a sense of atomically thin materials
Two-dimensional materials such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides provide a powerful platform for optoelectronic applications. As the materials get thinner, however, characterizing – [Read More] (Source: This Week in Science)
Source: This Week in Science - February 2, 2017 Category: Science Authors: Ian S. Osborne Tags: Physics Source Type: research
[Chromosomes] Tethering DNA for packing purposes
Condensin protein complexes are critical for chromosome segregation and compaction. They form ring-shaped structures that encircle and topologically constrain DNA strands. Wang et – [Read More] (Source: This Week in Science)
Source: This Week in Science - February 2, 2017 Category: Science Authors: Guy Riddihough Tags: Chromosomes Source Type: research
[Sleep Research] Synapse remodeling during sleep
General activity and information processing while an animal is awake drive synapse strengthening. This is counterbalanced by weakening of synapses during sleep (see the Perspective – [Read More] (Source: This Week in Science)
Source: This Week in Science - February 2, 2017 Category: Science Authors: Peter Stern Tags: Sleep Research Source Type: research
[Ribosome] The yeast mitoribosome
Mitochondria are eukaryotic organelles that produce ATP, the energy source of the cell. They have dedicated ribosomes (mitoribosomes) that encode some of the membrane proteins that – [Read More] (Source: This Week in Science)
Source: This Week in Science - February 2, 2017 Category: Science Authors: Valda Vinson Tags: Ribosome Source Type: research
[Asymmetric Catalysis] Expressed preferences among methyl groups
Targeting just one of the two equivalent branch ends in Y-shaped molecules is a particular challenge for catalysis. Enzymes manage to do it by grasping the whole molecule, octopus-like, – [Read More] (Source: This Week in Science)
Source: This Week in Science - February 2, 2017 Category: Science Authors: Jake Yeston Tags: Asymmetric Catalysis Source Type: research
[Political Science] Using global data for election predictions
Assumptions underlying election result predictions have been questioned recently. Kennedy et al. assessed more than 650 executive office elections in over 85 countries and – [Read More] (Source: This Week in Science)
Source: This Week in Science - February 2, 2017 Category: Science Authors: Barbara R. Jasny Tags: Political Science Source Type: research
